Most back $10 minimum wage, cost of living updates, in poll

There was spirited debate on the most recent Business Pulse survey, but most readers backed the proposal in San Jose to raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour, with automatic annual raises based on the rise in the cost of living.

About 56 percent of readers supported the plan that San Jose voters will decide in November.

About 44 percent said no.

Reader Carol Garvey wrote, "It's clear that people can't survive on $8 per hour in Silicon Valley. Studies prove that the greatest demographic making minimum wage is women between 25-60. Chances are these women are also supporting children or other family members. My 94-year-old father has spent the past year in a care home... All of his needs are taken care of by low-wage workers... I brought Girl Scout cookies to share with residents and staff one day. A young man was so tickled but said, 'I love Thin Mints but I can't afford them on my salary.' That really got to me."

Reader Ramon Olmedo wrote, "I've been an advocate of a minimum wage of $10 an hour since the 80's. I started at $6.18 an hour for my Low Voltaqe I.B.E.W apprenticeship that changed to $13 in my third year because of low recruitment."

Reader Edward Nowak wrote, "The evidence is clear: Raising the minimum wage hurts the poor, those at the margins. If the San Jose City Council wanted to do something positive for young folks, especially for minority teenagers, they would push for a lower minimum wage, not a higher one. A store keeper might well hire a student to come in after school at $5/hour to sweep and stock shelves, but not at $10/hour. The minimum wage is pushed by elitists, racists, and union thugs."

Reader Richard Friberg wrote, "The City Council is wanting us to vote on revising the pension plan because it is too expensive, but they want businesses to pay more for basic help. Hmmm."